 Rising Stars in KidLit began as a way to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world. These interviews cast a light on the wonderful work of pre-published or pre-agented authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars! Today we’re hosting another Spotlight series with author, John Bray, so we can learn all about his path to publication! John has also offered to giveaway a signed copy of THE END plus a bonus activity book to one lucky winner! Make sure to read all the way to THE END (haha!) of the interview for details on how to enter the giveaway. Thanks for your generosity, John! Meet Rising Star Author John Bray!  Photo Credit John Bray © 2022 John Bray is an author of books for children and an assortment of other things. He also won a bookmark design contest in second grade. He lives in St. Charles, IL with his son and a rambunctious dog who’s the size of a modest cat. His debut picture book, THE END, illustrated by Josh Cleland releases later this month with Starry Forest Books. John is currently seeking agent representation. Welcome, John and congrats on your upcoming release, THE END! I'm thrilled to have you here to celebrate your debut and chat about your journey! Thank you so much for your generous giveaway, too! Make sure to enter for your chance to win a signed copy of THE END plus a bonus activity book! Details on how to enter at the bottom of the interview. AD: First off, congrats on your debut picture book, THE END, which releases this month with Starry Forest Books. Can you share a bit more about this delightful story? JB: THE END is a slightly meta story about endings, beginnings, and the space between the two. It’s also sort of a mashup between Semisonic’s “Closing Time” (a late 90s classic) and "Little Gidding" by T.S. Eliot (modernist poet and author of everyone's favorite "Prufrock"). More than anything, it's a different, humorous perspective on endings, and I think that's something we could all use from time to time. AD: Yes! What a perfect description! I love how it got me thinking about endings in a whole new light and reminded me that endings are just the beginning of something else with lots of exciting stuff happening in between! Artist, Josh Cleland, perfectly capture the fun and humor in the story, too!  John's debut children's book THE END, illustrated by Josh Cleland, recently released with Starry Forest Books. Let’s start with a speed round…
Okay, now down to the serious stuff…. AD: Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. JB: So much dirt to dish. I’ll give the truncated version. I found my way to children’s books by way of the Young Author’s program in third grade (my book: The ABCs of Origami). That sparked my love for writing, and I’ve been writing ever since. However, between then and now, there was college, a job in marketing that I did not enjoy at all, working as a freelance writer (which I still do and enjoy), raising a son (also still in process), and a slew of other things. But children’s books were always there, either taking shape on the page or in my head. AD: Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs? JB: Yes. But no. I originally went to college with a law focus (English, Pre-law). A series of big life events (so many of them) led me away from that path. In hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened. I’d make a terrible lawyer. But my filing would be impeccable. AD: Funny how we find our way back to our true passions. :)  John's furry officemate, Lily, taking a snooze. © 2022 John Bray AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in? JB: This is such a difficult question. I think I gravitate toward making the intangible more tangible, but that’s not necessarily a focus. More than anything, I like the idea of telling a story kids want to get lost in in only 32 pages. Something fun. AD: Breaking into the publishing industry is not easy! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere? JB: The hardest thing was just putting myself out there. Spending time and energy to create a story I believe in only to have it rejected over and over again. AD: Yes! Being vulnerable as a creator is one of the hardest parts and as creators (and humans), we tend to focus on the flaws of our creations or areas for improvement. This helps us grow and develop, but we need not forget the many things we are doing well. With this in mind, what has been your biggest accomplishment or something you are most proud of thus far on your writing journey? JB: Editing! I’m a notorious over-writer. Always wordy (which probably comes through in some of these answers). But I’m slowly becoming much better at cutting. Ruthlessly cutting. It’s a lot easier to say “kill your darlings” than it is to actually kill them. AD: I completely relate!  John's writing desk. © 2022 John Bray AD: In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you? JB: I spend a lot of time focusing not just on the story or the words I use to tell it, but on how those words feel when you say them. How they clump together and flow, either out loud or in your own head. That doesn’t mean unnecessarily big words or onomatopoeias. It’s mostly about how the words fit together. Their relationship and rhythm. I think the experience of reading (or hearing) a book should be as exciting and engaging as the story itself. AD: Yes, the feeling of the words is so important as is reading the story out loud so you can get a sense of this. Thanks for the reminder! AD: What inspires your work? JB: Anything and everything. Usually it’s something fairly random (odd sayings, quirky word combinations, or, as with THE END, song lyrics). And then the other part of that inspiration is time. Letting that little piece of something sit and grow before I try to write my way into a story. It doesn’t always work, but I always learn something along the way. AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck? JB: Running is a big help. When I have nothing to think about but putting one foot in front of the other, it clears my head and makes room for new ideas. I also run in the early morning when it’s quiet, and I think that adds to the experience. But sometimes, you just get stuck and you have to redirect that creative energy. For me, that means baking or drawing or helping my son (who is very mechanically minded and not at all interested in writing so much as a single sentence) solve a problem with one of his many projects. AD: Having a clear mind is so important for creativity and inspiration. Glad you have your outlet with running. Double win that it's a healthy way to clear the mind as well!  View from one of John's morning runs. © 2022 John Bray AD: What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author? JB: Three things: 1) An almost daily practice for 15-20 years. 2) My friend Sue (a 10-year friendship and one of the best things to come out of Twitter), who always helps me get out of my own head so I can move forward with my writing. 3) Parents who supported creativity and the arts as much as they supported math and science. There was no “that doesn’t sound like a financially safe career path” in my house growing up. But, in all honesty, I’ve been surrounded by supportive people from just about every angle, and I’m beyond grateful for their encouragement and belief in me and my work over the years. AD: A support system is huge! It can be a roller coaster so having people who are there for the ride can keep us moving forward and motivated. AD: What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives? JB: Just. Stick. With it. If you have a story to tell — in pictures, words, or both — keep at it. Children want stories. They need them. It’s not an easy or fast road for most people (me included!) but if it’s something you’re passionate about, keep at it and remember that rejections aren’t personal. AD: Right on! I remember a quote (I forget who said it) but it was something along the lines of-the only way you won't succeed is if you give up. I wholeheartedly believe that. Anything is possible if you just stick with it! Alright and finally, where can readers find out more about you and your work? Website: johnbraybooks.com Twitter: @jhnrbry Instagram: @jhnrbry John, thank you so much for joining us for this special Spotlight feature on Rising Stars in KidLit! Congrats again on your debut, THE END. Join John's newsletter HERE to keep up with book news, events, and snag a free book and feel free to drop a comment below to support John and his work. Be sure to also subscribe to the Rising Stars series so you don't miss out on the next Rising Stars in Kidlit feature and follow along on Twitter at #RisingStarsinKidlit! Speaking of snagging a free book.....  Win a signed copy of THE END plus a bonus activity book!! TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: ✅ Follow John & Amanda on Twitter ✅ Retweet this post on Twitter ✅ Tag 3 friends in the comments on Twitter A random winner will be selected to receive a signed copy of THE END plus a bonus activity book! The deadline for this contest is Tuesday, September 13th at 9AM EST. The winner will be contacted on Tuesday, September 13th and announced on Twitter. 
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Who Am I?Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. Amanda is the author of the award-winning picture book, 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag, Moonlight Memories (summer, 2023) and a yet to be announced forthcoming title. She also has poetry and illustrations featured in The Writers’ Loft Anthology: Friends & Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children. Amanda has over ten years of experience as a classroom teacher and was selected as Massachusetts Secondary Art Educator of the Year. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her family and her rescue pup, Cora. You can learn more about Amanda at www.amandadavisart.com and on Twitter @amandadavisart and Instagram @amandadavis_art. Archives
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